Category

Science

02/06/2021
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How is the strength of a magnet measured?

When considering the ‘strength’ of a magnet there are several key measurements that all contribute to a magnet’s strength in different ways, which can be a little confusing. Also, when trying to determine or measure a magnets strength the answer will be dependent on what is meant by strength be it either the pulling force or magnetic field strength, which are both often referred to as strength. So below we will describe each attribute that contributes to a magnets performance and in turn answer the question how is the strength... Read More

19/05/2021
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Make learning fun with Magnets

Magnetics is a part of all children’s education and Alnico magnets are extremely popular in schools due to their easy handling and much safer risk compared to Neodymium magnets. However, outside of the classroom magnets can also be a key part in some children’s toys here at FIRST4MAGNETS we have a range of toys and accessories that are perfectly suitable for children and that is thanks to their magnetic properties. So, we have decided to put a list together of our top child friendly products below. Tangram Magnets The highly... Read More

12/05/2021
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What material is best for shielding a magnet?

Shielding a magnet or attempting to block a magnetic field is a subject that several of our customers approach our experts with on a regular basis, so we decided to examine what materials can be used to shield a magnet. Before learning how to shield a magnet it’s important to know that magnetic shielding does not block a magnetic field. No material can stop the lines of flux from travelling from a magnet’s north to its south pole. However, it can be redirected. The simplest example of this would be... Read More

05/05/2021
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What reduces a magnets performance?

All magnets have a ‘pull’ rating measured in kilograms which relates to how much force acting perpendicular to the magnet to pull the magnet from a steel plate, when in direct contact. The ‘pull’ rating is obtained and calculated under ideal conditions such as a thick enough steel plate which is perfectly flat and clean. As the pull force is slowly steadily increased and is absolutely perpendicular to the magnet face. However, in real world applications, perfect conditions are unlikely and there are six main factors which could affect and... Read More

25/01/2021
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Home schooling with magnets!

We sympathise with all of you who are having to home school during this lockdown! We completely understand certain topics may not be interesting to everyone, but we are a firm believer that magnets are a great teaching aid to allow your children to be interactive. It’s time for you to take charge and dismiss those blank little faces looking back at you. Here are our top magnetic tips and activities to help bring some fun back to home schooling! Make their workspace interactive! Our FerroPaint® magnetic paint allows you... Read More

08/01/2021
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National Static Electricity Day!

It has been experienced by a majority of us, whether you were rubbing a party balloon on your head and sticking it to the wall or shuffling your feet across the floor to give your friends or family an cheeky little shock. Static electricity has occasionally added a spark to everyone’s day. Every year national static electricity day is celebrated on the 9th January. This day is dedicated to the observance of static electricity and investigates how we may cause it. Static electricity is vastly different from the electrical current... Read More

06/01/2021
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Commemorating Earth Rotation Day

The biggest magnet on the planet is the earth itself. Today marks the celebration of the earth and in particular it remembers when French Physicist, Leon Foucault, revealed the Earth rotates on its axis! To celebrate we have put together some interesting facts to celebrate the Earth. Why does the earth rotate? “The Earth keeps spinning because it was born spinning” – Kevin Luhman, an assistant professor of astronomy at Penn State Rotating is known as the fundamental behaviour of objects in the universe. To help explain this hear is... Read More

01/06/2020
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How does the International Space Station use magnets?

Did you watch the space launch on Saturday? We certainly did! SpaceX Dragon has successfully launched into space on Saturday 30th May 2020 and has now arrived at the International Space Station (ISS)! This is an incredible achievement within space history. Here are some fun facts and research done by ISS with the use of magnets! FOOD AND DRINK In space you can’t simply place something on a surface and walk away from it. It is reported astronauts often lose things and can spend their time searching for lost items.... Read More

29/05/2020
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Magnets in space

Who’s excited for the SpaceX launch on Saturday? We certainly are! For those of you unsure, Nasa and SpaceX are making history this Saturday 30th May, by launching two astronauts into space from US soil for the first time since 2011! Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley are due to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) at 8.22pm UK time, in a spacecraft built by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s company. If successful, this will be the first time this act would have been performed by a privately-owned company. The mission... Read More

16/04/2020
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Magnets in TV programmes

Leading on from Magnets in movies, they are also referenced amongst our favourite TV programmes. We will try and avoid any spoilers; in case you haven’t watched the programmes we discuss. So, let’s get started… Breaking Bad Using a monster scrapyard magnet to erase all data from a computer hard drive through a concrete wall. Would this really work? In this episode Mike, Walt and Jesse discover the laptop with incriminating evidence on has already been placed in the police station evidence room. This leads to Mike and Walt arguing... Read More